Do Not Be Anxious for Anything

Welcome to De-Commissioned, a place for former members of the Great Commission movement (aka GCM, GCC, GCAC, GCI, the Blitz) to discuss problems they've experienced in the association's practices and theology.

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[Huldah]

This is a lesson I'm still learning. I still have so many bad lessons to unlearn.

"Be anxious for nothing."

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow."

"Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

Have you ever seen these beautiful reassurances used as a club?

The logic goes like this. All these verses use an imperative verb; that is, they're grammatically phrased as commands. Since they're phrased (grammatically) as commands, and since it's a sin to disobey one of God's commands, then worrying must be a sin! As a result, on top of your original burden--whatever you were originally worried about--now you've got disobedience (failure to trust God) added to it.

This is how I learned the drill. I also learned to change the words, "I'm worried, to," "I'm concerned," because that's supposed to sound more spiritual. As if it makes any real difference.

This type of logic was used sometimes at my old GC church, but it's not just a GC thing. Perhaps it originated with Bill Gothard. Perhaps it's older than that. But it's still around, still turning some of the kindest reassurances in the Bible into ways we can beat ourselves up. Just two weeks ago, I heard a dear brother at my church use this logic on himself when I asked him how his seriously ill adult child was doing. It made me feel quite sad, that this man felt the need to spontaneously criticize himself for feeling the way any parent with a heart would feel.

So here's my point. What if those verses were never meant to be one more measurement by which we fall short? What if they're not some cue to focus on our own failures? What if they're just what they appear to be in all their obvious simplicity: words of comfort, and encouragement, and gentleness?

Maybe the next time we're worried, we should just say so bluntly to God. He isn't going to deny us His grace when we need it most. We can bring it all to Him: worries, failures, heartaches, and call them exactly what they are, without sugar-coating any of it.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

[Janet Easson Martin]

Somehow I missed this (post above.)  Thank you, Huldah. Yes, we can miss the comfort of our compassionate Father by being discouraged with our humanity.

[Janet Easson Martin]

New Years Message for 2022

Grab your pillow and rest with Jesus as we pass through the continuing storm of COVID into 2022, says Tony Evans. He will bring us to the other side.

In this authentic message from Tony Evans he relates our humanity to the disciples in the boat during the storm threatening to take them under; and their natural response to Jesus seeming to ignore their great trouble.



Tony Evans New Years Message for 2022   (12 min.)

https://youtu.be/h6eq1EpROWg

[Janet Easson Martin]

Thank you, Huldah, for your healing post you started this thread with. I read it once again tonight and was truly comforted. I like how you emphasize being real with God and not “sugar coating” your hurt, anger, or grief. It then seems the comfort is deeper because the wound is no longer covered, but opened for God’s salve & healing.

Some verses I found on “fear of the unknown” are:


2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.


John 16:33 ESV  

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”


1 John 4:18 ESV
 
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.


Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

[Janet Easson Martin]

A friend shared this recently which I found to be very encouraging and transforming when I alter my thinking after it.



A lady in our church said something this morning that I found encouraging. She said that rather than things falling apart, perhaps we should think of it as things falling into place.



Selah...

[Janet Easson Martin]

From The Perspective of Heaven

I died, went to heaven, and came back!  - Crossroads Church

https://youtu.be/PhbMMBYijNM

[Janet Easson Martin]

I Will Fear No More - The Afters (Official Lyric Video)

https://youtu.be/wMmmbJlWhtk